Summary: The discription of the covenant we have now entered into with Christ as our Savior.

Let’s look at the description of God and Jesus in these verses before we get started.

“The God of Peace” in verse 20

~But why the God of Peace, rather than the God of Power, or the God of Grace, or the

God of Glory?

~Because the divine power was not put forth in raising Christ from the grave, but it was receiving his Son as the sacrifice for the sins of mankind.

Christ; as “The Great Shepherd” verse 20

~That great shepherd of the sheep, because as a shepherd, he feeds them with his word, even with his precious body and blood. He is styled not ‘the’, but “that” shepherd, the one that was promised of old.

~The very object and the hope of the church from the beginning: great is His person, His power, His undertaking; great is His glory and exaltation from above everything else. ~Shepherd of the sheep, because they are his own, a little flock in the mist of wolves, which could never bet kept, but by the power, care, and love of the Great Shepherd.

“The God of Peace”

~The work assigned to God as a God of peace; was to bring forth again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ.

~Christ is said to raise himself so grace would abound. But God the Father is said to raise Him in regard of His sovereign authority.

~God the Father, to who justice is due, was satisfied because peace was now perfectly made in the death burial and resurrection of His Son, making Him the God of Peace.

> How did he do this?

By the blood of the everlasting covenant, that is, by the blood of Christ himself, this confirmed the covenant.

> Because of his everlasting covenant.

He had to raise Christ from the dead or the covenant would not have been everlasting.

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~What is a new covenant? What was wrong with the old one?

Let me start by saying this… when properly understood it provides us the foundation for personal and powerful spiritual life. But when ignored it leaves us searching for God through legalistic means. I know which way I would rather have my life.

~What is a Covenant?

It is a pledge, agreement or testament between two parties.

~In the old days (O.T.) it was a treaty between two parties.

~There were two kinds of covenants:

1. Voluntary agreement between equals.

2. Treaties of loyalty between a great king and a lesser king.

~In the Bible, covenants between God and his people are always the second type. God

always dictates the terms of His covenants, which shows His sovereignty and kingship,

and the people’s obligation of faith in the King.

~What was the old covenant?

It was started in Genesis with promises to Noah and Abraham, of land, people, and God’s blessings.

Some important things to notice of the old covenant:

A. It focused on conformity to the law:

1. Keep the Sabbath holy.

2. Follow worship regulations.

B. God who is wholly (completely) separate from mankind:

* Only one of twelve tribes could be a priest.

* Only one priest a day could enter the holy place

* Only priests on duty could enter the tabernacle

* Only the High Priest could enter the “most holy place’ behind the veil, and once a

year.

* The High Priest never spoke to God, the Blood of the Sacrifice spoke for him.